Preference Poll - Wheat or Rye?

[sharkman]

Just thought I'd get a feel for the groups preference.

Do you prefer a wheated bourbon or ryed bourbon?

[gr8erdane]

I believe I can speak for many here when I say that wheat or rye depends on the mood and/or situation. There are some days where the sweetness of the wheat is perfect and others where I feel the need for a jolt of spice. I answered wheat because my sweet tooth made me.

[mobourbon]

I like the spiciness of the rye bourbons. Makers Mark, for example has no body and weak taste for me. The exception is the Van Winkle bourbons. They are wheaters, but they have the spiciness that the rye bourbons have.

[kitzg]

Is this a bit like asking "if you were single, would you prefer a blond, redhead, or brunette?" To me that answer depends on "which one." I happen to love Weller 12, a wheater, as well as Eagle Rare or Knob Creek, from rye. It is great to have variety.

I've spent the last several months drinking quite a bit of Belgian ales. And while I can't say I got really tired of them it was a real pleasure to get a good English real ale for a change. That is a bit the way I am with bourbons.

[Bob]

I'm with Dane...I like 'em both, it just depends on my mood at the time.

[TNbourbon]

Ditto all that. I can't make a choice of one over the other. I know examples of each that are among the best on my shelf.

[camduncan]

I'm with Dane... I like both depending on the circumstances, but voted Wheat because I like the sweetness that is often a charactaristic

[bluesbassdad]

Hmmm. . . Which is my [current] favorite, Rock Hill Farms or Van Winkle Family Reserve 12 y/o? I really can't make such a choice.

The only way I can arrive at any rationale for picking either rye recipe or wheat as a group is to imagine I have the choice of drinking only one or the other for the rest of my life.

Except for the Van Winkles I would have little problem giving up the wheaters. There simply aren't that many contenders.

On the rye side their are numerous bottlings that I enjoy to the point that I'd miss them. (Along those lines Russell's Reserve comes to mind for some reason. )

Based in part on sheer numbers, I'd have to go with the rye recipe bourbons.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[clayton]

My absolute favorite bourbon is Stagg (rye), but following that comes VW15 & Weller 12 (both wheaters).

I suppose I'd have to vote rye (which I did), seeing as a rye takes top place for me, but if you averaged the top three favorites...

Good thing we can have them all!

[OneCubeOnly]

I voted for rye. However, if you had a third pick--something along the lines of "indifferent" I'd probably have chosen that instead. I think ryed bourbons really shine at lower ages, whereas the spectacular wheaters are older.

[Ken Weber]

Last night I was a dinner guest of a group of Scotch Whisky distillers and retailers. When it came time to order, I was torn between steak and salmon. I like them both and had to decide. Kind of like deciding between Buffalo Trace (rye) and Weller 12 (wheat). They are very different, but if I had to choose, I would go with the rye. To me, rye is like the entree and wheat is the dessert.

Ken

[Geo]

Give me Old Rip Van Winkle of Pappy and I am in heaven. The wheat makes the whiskey like silk and sweet as candy.

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

Hi There,

I am not going to vote. I can't resist the topic though. I really love rye and thought that I didn't like wheaties. Early on I tried a bottle of Maker's Mark Red and liked it then I tried a whole bunch of other whiskies, scotch, Japanese malts and blends and, of course, bourbons. Then I got another bottle of MM Red and wasn't impressed at all. After that I thought that any too mild bourbon was a wheatie and that was why I didn't like it. Some of those turned out to be ryes.

Then I got a bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old. That sure changed my mind in a hurry! I went back to the MM Red and liked it better than I had though it didn't match the ORVW 10. The wheaties are growing on me, though I haven't had many yet. I haven't seen the Weller's on the shelves. I have seen Old Fitzgerald but haven't gotten any yet. It may be a while before I do. I figure I spent over 2000 dollars on whiskey the first third of this year. I have to drink some of it before making any new purchases....

Anyway, I'm undecided till I can conduct more research!

Ed

[BobA]

I'm with all who said "it depends," but I still voted for rye. It seems that I have go a bit up the $ scale on wheat before I stop saying "Hmmm, needs ice." Really, every wheater I can think of this side of ORVW 10 yr I find notably lacking. But many rye bourbons on the middle, or even bottom, shelf are multi-dimensional winners.

Bob

[halpap]

I voted rye. Aside from Stagg, which is in a class by itself, my favorite bourbon is ER17, another rye. There are some pretty good wheaties too. I am open to doing additional sampling and changing my mind.

[Firefighter]

Probably a dumb question, but is there a list somewhere of which major bourbons are wheaters and which push the rye? I don't know enough yet to know if I have a preference or a trend - my favorites right now are ER10, EC12, Woodfords, and Rare Breed.

[bobbyc]

I don't know enough yet to know if I have a preference or a trend - my favorites right now are ER10, EC12, Woodfords, and Rare Breed.

Not a wheater in that bunch.

They are ( Wheaters) The Vanwinkles, WL Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, Maker's Mark.

[sharkman]

Rye is pulling a big lead!!!

[sharkman]

Bob,

I'll agree. It does depend. And I started the poll. My main reason for the poll is to see where the taste of this group of real bourbon drinkers leans. This whole thing came to mind when I bought a bottle of Makers after not having it on my shelf for a very long time (harder to get bottles took center stage). Well, I always liked MM. But when I tasted my first pour in several months, I was disappointed. Lacks character. Your "ice" statement is right on! I have an opened bottle of Weller 19. Wheaty as it gets, right? (It's the other side of the fence from Stagg...) Now THAT is a good whiskey. I do also like the smoothness and sweetness of Rebel Yell. One of my favorite everyday type pours. But my heart goes to the rye!

Thanks everyone who voted so far and to everyone who will.

[BobA]

Well, my "notably lacking" comment may have been too much. I like Rebel Yell over ice as a good, cheap, relaxing pour. Similar likes for Weller SR, MM, and Old Fitz, although "cheap" doesn't really fit the MM. Basically, all bourbon is good for me, I just seem to get more out of the rye recipes.

Haven't seen a bottle of Weller 19, but if I do, I'll probably get it on the strength of the Centennial I have, and comments here.

Bob

[bobbyc]

Haven't seen a bottle of Weller 19, but if I do, I'll probably get it on the strength of the Centennial I have, and comments here.

Don't forget your 225 bucks! !

[CrispyCritter]

My vote went for rye... but I'm another one for "it depends on my mood." It's sort of like asking me, when I'm in the mood for Scotch, whether I prefer sherry or peat.

I guess, for either "wheat or rye" or "sherry or peat," the answer is "yes."

[BobA]

Oh. Nevermind.

I'm willing to spend for some good stuff, but that's 10 bottles of OGD 114. Or a bunch of other things.

Bob

[sharkman]

Congratulations Rye!!! You win!!!

The people have spoken.

[BourbonJoe]

Boy, this is a tough one. IMHO I think ATC that a really good wheater beats out a rye mash.

Joe